Competent

/ˈkɒmpɪtənt/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully.

She is a competent writer, able to communicate her ideas clearly and effectively.

acceptable and satisfactory; capable of meeting requirements.

The technician was competent enough to handle the equipment without any supervision.

legally qualified or authorized.

The judge declared that he was competent to stand trial.

sufficiently qualified; capable.

Our team is comprised of competent professionals who excel in their respective fields.

Latin 'competens', from 'competere' meaning to strive together.

competent authority

a person or organization with the power to make decisions in a certain area.

competent soldier

a soldier who meets the required standards of training and performance.

competent adviser

an advisor who has the required knowledge and skills to provide effective counsel.

competence

the ability to do something successfully or efficiently.

competency

a specific skill or set of skills required to perform a job.

competitiveness

the ability to compete successfully.

a competent person is often seen as cool or capable.

He's so competent, he can fix anything around the house.

to be competent can sometimes be described as 'getting the job done'.

She’s competent—she always gets the job done without any fuss.